A 72-year-old client is admitted with a hip fracture and is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notes the client's international normalized ratio (INR) is 3.5. Which nursing action is most appropriate at this time?

Question: A 72-year-old client is admitted with a hip fracture and is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notes the client's international normalized ratio (INR) is 3.5. Which nursing action is most appropriate at this time?

Answer options:

• Administer the prescribed preoperative antibiotic. ✅ Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
• Prepare the client for transport to the operating room.
• Start an intravenous fluid infusion as ordered.

Correct answer: Notify the healthcare provider immediately.

Explanation: An INR of 3.5 is elevated and indicates an increased risk for bleeding, which is a significant concern before hip fracture surgery. Notifying the healthcare provider is crucial to ensure appropriate measures, such as vitamin K administration or fresh frozen plasma, are taken to correct the coagulopathy before surgery.